asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in the light of the concern felt at the continuing slaughter of badgers in the South-West of England, particularly by private landowners, when he expects the present eradication process to be completed.

All but a few of the landowners and occupiers involved have cooperated with Ministry staff in these necessary operations. I cannot forecast when it will be possible to cease gassing badgers, but expect the scale of gassing to decline as the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in badgers is reduced.